The house’s four occupants reported the fire to 911 and were able to escape on their own before emergency personnel arrived, Melton said.

The Lower Currituck VFD, assisted by firefighters with Currituck Fire-EMS, Crawford Township VFD, Moyock VFD, Southern Shores VFD and the Kitty Hawk Fire Department, brought the blaze under control within two hours, Melton said. Hampering their efforts was the fact no fire hydrant was nearby and water had to be shuttled to the fire scene, he said. Melton estimated the nearest hydrant to the fire was about a quarter-mile away.

Although the fire spread and slightly damaged an adjoining residence, the main damage was to the first house that caught fire, Melton said. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Currituck Sheriff’s Office, he said.

The four people displaced by the fire are being assisted by the Greater Albemarle Chapter of the American Red Cross, Melton said. He did not immediately have their names, but believes all four are adults.